Too many people work too hard!! I can never understand it as there is too much to enjoy in life.

Fair play for getting off the wagon – Good luck!

Got any pictures?

Get her out to try a few bikes at different price points to demonstrate the benefits of spending that extra cash!!!

I bet she realises £100 will get so much more!

Account Director for a Financial Service Company specialising in the Credit Industry.

Things are good and bad – some sectors are doing well and within the market there is now a lot of focus on retaining and managing existing customers as opposed to a few years back when focus was on acquisition of customers. But things are bad on the traditional Mortgage and Loans side of things as no lending is really going on.

Keep at it – it takes a long time and lots of practice – I’ve been trying for a year now and still a long way off being able to balance on the bike (Which just happens to be a soul).

BTW – Very happy with what I can do but always more to do.

Sheldon’s got a great one of sunset over the malverns taken from Cleeve hill – but I’ll let him post that one!!!

I think you are right about core strength – I’ve been getting into BMX for the past 6-9 months (I’ll probably be shot down for mentioning that) and that really uses your core muscles – I’ve really noticed how much easier certain things are since taking it up – so there is definately something in the core strength arguement.

Although – Yoga or Pilates??? Which is best?

Clare – totally agree.

My guy in Gloucester (don’t know what to call him) is an osteopath, physio, acupuncturist, joint manipulator and specialist in Chinese Medicine. He always says that Chiropractors move the bones but the muscles always pull them back afterwards, so you get some relief but the root cause – the muscle – hasn’t been dealt with.

So he works the muscle, gets it all loose then manuipulates the joint to its new position and does some more muscle work to get the muscle to keep the joint in the new position. Gives you some exercises to take home and hey presto!!

I was sceptical but I have been amazed at how he has sorted some problems on one visit!!! Including my wifes back pain post pregnacy which turned out to be some hip mialignment.

Moral of the story is – try to find someone who isn’t just a specialist in one field – e.g. Physio, Chiropractor or Osteopath – see if you can find someone with experience of a wide range of practices.

I’ve been truly surprised at the difference and would pay everytime to see him (not Bupa registered due to him having spent 25 years doing this for the forces (and various national standard sports teams whilst in the forces) and Bupa being funny about it)

Yeah – looks proper Ninja in black !!! 8)

I got a Delonghi one and its great…

DEM10 and was £85

Congrats – I’m assuming from this cycling is OK after a hip op?

My father in law used to be a keen runner but had to have a hip replacement and now can’t run – not sure if this is the same but he is going stir crazy not being able to exercise.

Yep, I was back to work as well – 2 hrs riding in the snow and ice – makes any familiar normally non technical trail into a heart stopping test of technical ability!!!

Surfer – I know someone in Gloucester but not that far north.

Check out this page on stretching…

Piriformis stretch

And another giving some info…

Piriformis info

This is what was my problem and was easily resolved with some massage and a whole lot of stretching. Apparently it is common for the sciatic nerve to get trapped in the piriformis and cause sciatica.

Heat pads, chriopractors, pain killers will not cure it until the muscle is dealt with and the nerve becomes untrapped or has the pressure relieved from it.

Surfer – where do you live? I can recommend someone who is excellent with such things.

I had similar and was to do with two things…

1. Issue with leg being pulled into hip joint – went and saw someone and he sorted that out in one visit

2. Muscle in butt which can trap a nerve and cause such pain – need to stretch it to release it. Apparently common issue in cyclists

Did both of these and no reoccuring problem

Yeah – do it.

I’ve had loads and there’s nothing wrong with me, except for not being able to hide in the dark now!!! :lol:

Uma Thurman just doesn’t do it for me. She looked OK in Pulp Fiction but I think that was more to do with the white shirt.

Oooh yes – Honor Blackman!!!

OK – Its barnt at hotmail dot com

I’ve had no inconvenience but what’s Bikemagic?

Will1 – Very interesting – What condition are they in and what’s the burn time like?

Jesus – just got a virus alert when clicking on this link!!!! :!:

Ignore this – trying to post on a different thread!!! Doh!! and ended up adding this when I shouldn’t have!!!

I’d agree with HairyChested – ride the curent one into the ground and buy something better – or ride the curent one while building something up for the non-commute rides…

I would side with the palestinians – Think they have had a rough deal for too long and fair play for not lying down and taking it like a mug.

If someone nicked your bike you’d wee in their shoes!!!

The battle is proper David and Goliath -Israel being back and supplied by the west and their superiour arms and weapons makes for it to be very one sided.

Too early in the morning for images like that…!!

I assume this is in the bike forum as it has to do with riding?? :lol: (Sorry ladies – I know bad joke but couldn’t help myself)

Felt like we skirted round the west midlands rather than riding within it!!!

That explains a lot!!!

Please do it Bryony, I only want to do 50km and I need an excuse, otherwise they’ll never let me forget it

Si – Don’t worry – There’s nothing wrong if you want to do the 50 as well!!! We won’t take the michael if you join us.

IHN – What about tuesday’s ride – I heard you got “beasted”!! :lol:

I was going to look at doing the 100 but I’ve just convinced my better half to do it for the first time and she’ll only do it if I do the 50 with her so I’m happy :D

Here number is 708!!!! They’re going fast!!!

Nice – will have to book something in to pay you guys a visit and learn the way of the shore!!!

Needs more colour I think on the threds and all threads on one page for each topic (rather than multiple pages)

I like the smilies (adds tone to the email and might avoid some fallings out we’ve had before)

Love the front page with all the new topics in one place.

Love the link to the latest post on a thread

Would like to see who origianlly posted along with the latest poster (to save clicking into a post only to realise it is the same postas when you last viewed it)

Yeah, hats off to Andy for finishing the ride with a massive grin!!!

I know others who would have lost their smile after about 20k!!!

Cheers to all for the great day out – wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I had a great time and was surprised by the quality of the riding to be had in this tucked away corner of the midlands.

Cheers!!!

Oh – wicked birthday card!!!

Jedi – Looks like you’ve been getting out a bit!!

Can you ride Herts on a Hardtail? Keen to get my ass down to Herts Shore this year if you’ll have me!! :lol:

Wow – loadsa peeps!!!

See you tomorrow!!!

261!!!!

IHN – No probs coming along, thinking of leaving here about 8-8.30am so can pick you up on the way. Need to set Andy’s bike up but should only take 10mins.

Thanks for the offer of a bell but I dont use them as I prefer to warn walkers of my presence by saying a cheery “Hello there fellow trail user”!! Bah dum dum tssh!!! :D